Shurpanakha

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In the Ramayana, the earlier of the two
great Indian epics, Shurpanakha is the
sister of Ravana, the demon-king of
Lanka. Although she is a minor character in the epic, she plays a pivotal role in
advancing the action of the story. As
Ravana’s sister, Shurpanakha is a demon
woman of high status, and is free to
choose her own husband according to
her inclinations. As she roams through
the forest one day, she happens to see
Rama, the epic’s protagonist, and is
immediately smitten by his handsome
form. Assuming the shape of a beautiful
woman, she approaches him and
expresses her desire for him. Rama tells
her that since he is already married, his
brother Lakshmana will be a more
appropriate match for her. When
Lakshmana gives her reasons why he
too cannot marry her, Shurpanakha
becomes angry. Realizing that Rama’s
wife Sita is the real impediment to her
desires, Shurpanakha tries to harm her,
and in the struggle that follows,
Lakshmana mutilates her by cutting off
her ears and her nose. Shrieking with
pain and humiliation, Shurpanakha
returns to her brother Ravana’s court,
who swears that her insult will be
avenged. After their brothers Khara and
Dushana are killed in a direct attack on
Rama, Ravana decides to get revenge by
kidnapping Sita, an action that eventually causes his own death.